The survey was conducted in the aim of estimation annual conversion of agricultural land to non-agriculture and consequent loss of crop production during ten year period of 2001 to 2010; to investigate into the present pattern of non-agricultural uses of the converted land; and suggest suitable policy measures towards protection of farm land in the country. Three upazile from Mymensingh district namely Mymensinghsadar, Bhaluka and Fulbaria and Narshindisada, Belabo and Polashupazila of Narshindi district were the local of the study. Data were collected from 18. 01.12 to 10.03.12. The respondent were the household head. The total sample size was 180 of which 20 from each upazila. The data indicated that conversion of agricultural land with respect to total land owned in the year 2001 in the surveyed villages during the study period amounts to 4.23 percent or 0.42 percent per year. Information regarding non-agricultural uses of converted land indicates that more than half (55 percent) of the converted local was used in housing predominantly in urban villages (53 percent) as expected. The next two important uses were in the construction of roads and business enterprises covering 11 and 8 percent respectively. Non-reported area of use was also substantial (18 percent). The share of such land was the largest in rural villages (20 percent). Among different residential status of the households, the second most important utilization in peri-urban villages was road construction covering 21 percent of its converted land. The respondents have put forward some suggestions for arresting the current rate of land conversion. Their recommendations include the following agriculture should made more profitable and attractive (50 percent); special tax should be imposed on conversion of land (29 percent), and interestingly, area wise ceiling may be fixed for non-agricultural uses of land (9 percent) and tax exemption may be offered for commercial farms and the agro-based industries scored same (9 percent).
Keywords: Conversion, Trends, Agricultural land, Non-agricultural land, and Bangladesh